Survivor, a reality TV staple, premiered its 47th season Wednesday, September 18th. The show has been airing on CBS since Autumn of 2000, and excluding the year of 2020, they have steadily released two seasons per year. The plot of each season centers around a group of castaways fighting to win the grand prize of one million dollars.
Although the game has vastly changed over the years, the same concept still remains; Outwit, Outplay, and Outlast all other competitors. Shows like Survivor require an immense amount of funding, time, and hard work to release. The odds are stacked against programs like these. Yet, Survivor still comes on biannually. How?
Since its conception in 2000, Survivor has gained a massive cult following. Something about watching 20 strangers stranded in the middle of the jungle is appealing to the general public. In reality, the producers format the show in such a way that viewers are glued to their screens. Once you start watching the show, you can’t seem to stop.
“It’s really cool to see how fighting in the wilderness with people you just met, all equally fighting for 1 million dollars, adds to the excitement to the game!” Chika Akeh, a freshman at East, shared with Eastside her thoughts on the TV series.
Chika has been watching Survivor with her family since childhood, and it has almost become a tradition for them to sit down and watch the show together. There is no denying that the show unites people, and ‘Hey, let’s turn on Survivor’ has become a common saying in many households throughout the country!
Every episode features the same enticing format; The castaways compete in unique challenges, and someone usually gets voted out. The producers introduce various twists into the game such as Immunity Idols, Fire Tokens, and many other advantages.
“I love Survivor because it’s a game full of plot twists and drama. From the challenges, to fighting for immunity, to finding an idol, the action doesn’t stop.” Chika stated.
These twists keep the game fresh, and keep the viewers satisfied. With the show always changing and evolving, it has kept up with the public’s needs over the last 24 ½ years.
Arguably, what makes up any good TV show is the cast. The casting department for Survivor is truly phenomenal. They make sure to pick contestants that will be entertaining for the viewers. Whether that be a castaway who is willing to create drama, or a person with an emotional backstory, it is clear that the casting department never misses the mark.
Many players are so well received by the public that they are brought back for other seasons. One of the most notable of them being “Boston Rob”, who has appeared on a total of five seasons! Almost every person selected to be on Survivor has a drive to be there, which is very impressive.
If the show does nothing else, it stays consistent. Every season, Survivor maintains the same host, general idea, and motivation to win,–the million dollar prize. Of course every season is different, but the overall purpose is the same. The show is a classic, and viewers have been tuning in every Wednesday since the 2000’s.
Survivor is a show loved by millions across the world! It is almost inspiring how a show can reach so many people. The success of Survivor is due to the dedication of the production team, cast, and devoted viewers. So, now the question is up to you; Is it worth the watch?